"Brother Xu, you really came."
Xu San laughed heartily and said loudly, "I'm not trying to trick you. I've got good stuff for you, Third Brother." He then turned sideways and introduced Xu Jiang, "Boss, this is Zhao Zhang, an expert at judging horses and donkeys."
Xu Jiang nodded and greeted him warmly, "Hello, Brother Zhao."
"How are you, young lady?" Zhao Zhang felt shy when he saw Xu Jiang's beautiful and young appearance. He didn't even dare to look at her. He just said hello and looked away.
Xu San, knowing his aversion to girls, brought Xu Jiang's two donkeys over for him to inspect. Zhao Zhang was much more at ease around donkeys than around people, petting their hooves, pinching their ears, prying their mouths open to check their teeth, or even resting his head against their bellies to listen for sounds.
After feeling the three donkeys thoroughly, he nodded with satisfaction and said to Xu San, "They are really good stuff. Their hooves are strong and powerful, their breathing is smooth and unobstructed, their teeth are good, and they are young and easy to feed. They will be useful for another eight or nine years without any problem."
Xu San was quite pleased with himself, patting the donkey's back as if it were his own. "A genuine Gaochang breed, look at this head, these big paws, its endurance and temperament are first-rate, not to mention ordinary donkeys, even good horses can't catch up. It's easy to feed and easy to feed, and it's very strong, pulling three or five boxes at a time is no problem. Many people along the way are vying for it." After saying this, he moved closer to Zhao Zhang, put his arm around his shoulders, and said affectionately, "If I hadn't thought of you as a brother, I would have sold this good stuff at the inn long ago, and why would I have bothered to bring it to you?"
"Yes, yes, thank you for your concern, Third Brother. I'll treat you to a drink someday!"
"Don't be polite between brothers. What's wrong with Brother Jiu treating you to a drink? It's just that our boss has just arrived in the capital and it's not easy to do business. If we weren't forced to do so, how could we be willing to give away such a good commodity? We are also afraid of encountering cunning and deceitful merchants. Because you trust me, you let me bring it here. You can't let her suffer any loss."
After listening to Xu San's words, Xu Jiang smiled and continued, "Brother Zhao, I'm only offering two donkeys. You can just give me the market price. I asked Brother Xu San to help me find a reliable buyer. I was hoping for a fair price, not to get a bargain. Everyone makes money out of business. Brother Xu San approached you because he values our friendship and knows you're honest. I wouldn't want to end up putting you at a disadvantage. Also, I'd like to offer the harnesses for the two donkeys as well. You can give me whatever price you like. It's just a gift for our first meeting. How about we become friends?"
These words comforted Xu and Zhao. Zhao Zhang looked at her with a different eye, thinking that this girl looked young, but she was prudent and knew how to behave, not just a pretty face.
He couldn't help but become cautious, nodding his agreement hastily. He then summoned two boys, unloaded the cart, and led the two donkeys to the stable for water and feed. When they were done, he personally took a bundle of fine hay, chopped it up quickly, and placed it in a bamboo basket, which he then fed to the donkey Xu Jiang had left behind. The hay was so sweet, the donkey ate with such abandon that Xu Jiang couldn't help but slap it.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhang smiled and said, "It's good that it can eat it. This is the best fodder we have here. If it likes it, pack more and take it back later. If it finishes eating, just come here and get more."
Xu Jiang laughed and said, "It's fine to treat it from time to time, but I don't dare to let it become picky, for fear that it will make trouble in the future."
"That's right." Zhao Zhang saw that the time was almost right, so he said, "Miss, the market price of a Gaochang donkey is about 4,500 coins. I'll give you 5,000 coins each for the two donkeys, and 2,500 coins each for the other two carts, for a total of 15,000 coins. What do you think?"
Fifteen thousand coins, converted into fifteen taels of silver, meant she had made a profit. She had only spent five taels to buy the donkeys, and three taels for the chariot, for a total of eight taels. Although there were regional price differences, Zhao Zhang was willing to offer this price, which was already a favor, so why not?
Seeing her nod readily, Zhao Zhang immediately went to write the deed, and after a while he weighed out the silver and handed it to her.
"Please take inventory."
Xu Jiang only took a quick look at it and put it into the cloth bag he was carrying. "No need. If Third Brother Xu trusts you, then I trust you too."
Xu Sanyi, listening to this, felt a sudden glow on his face. Zhao Zhang, seeing her straightforwardness, was quite understanding, and ordered the boy to bring a few bundles of fine fodder to the donkey cart, saying, "If there's not enough fodder, young lady, just send someone to get more."
"You're welcome."
Xu Jiang breathed a sigh of relief after the donkey sale was completed. After bidding farewell to Zhao Zhang, the two men went on a stroll. Led by Xu San, who knew the area well, they gradually met a few people, making it easier for them to navigate the area.
By the time they got back to Yonghefang, it was already afternoon, and the craftsmen had already started to make up for their work, some picking up tiles, some doing carpentry, all busy and bustling. When they saw them return, everyone greeted them, and Alai, the team's laborer, came forward to help them load and unload their luggage, and then unload the carriage, very attentive.
Xu Jiang asked the carpenter named Cao who was working at the door, "Can you finish the work today?"
Carpenter Cao's face was full of wrinkles, and he said with a smile: "Don't worry, boss, this little work will ruin our team if we delay overnight."
Xu Jiang felt at ease. She looked at the bookstore that was about to be completed, and recalled the sadness and confusion when she first left Qianzhong. She felt as if the clouds had finally cleared and the moon was visible.
Xu San suddenly asked, "Boss, have you asked someone to pick a good date? What's the auspicious day and time to open the shop? Once we've chosen, let's go buy some firecrackers and set them off for a lively occasion."
"Auspicious time?" She had forgotten this. She smiled at Xu San and said, "No need to hire anyone. It's too expensive. I can do it myself."
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